Blind handed Van Persie his 100th cap from the bench at the Astana Arena, with suggestions his three-minute cameo appearance was a farewell gesture as Blind prepares to build a side without Van Persie.

“That is absolute nonsense,” added Blind.

“We had agreed that I would get him on if we needed a goal, but I also thought it was only logical to give him his 100th cap because the game was already decided.

“I had to wait for my third substitution for a bit, though. I talked about that with Robin and he understood me. I find it baffling that people don’t get that.”

Speaking after Saturday’s 2-1 win, Van Persie said he would have rather he had marked his century with a starting berth: “The important thing is that we won. But I would have rather started.”